The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-22
THREE SCENES.
The Hidden Link Which Made of
Them One Chain.


Neither the brush nor the pen, but the
lancet and the scalpel are properly my
tools, and yet for an hour past l have been
occupied in delineating on the canvas of
memory certain scenes that belong to the
past. The reverie-painted pictures are
three in number and each is vivid, sharply
defined, and stands conspicuously out in
its setting Of trivial or exciting circum-
stance. Have they any thing in common,
despite their seeming dissociationl l be-
gin to think so. A more dubious problem:
If there is indeed hidden secret link be-
tween these events, will the discovery
thereof aid or hinder the realization of my
dearest hopel have at present no answer
20 this question.
The first scene Imagination has coniured
anew before me with all the exactness of
realism reveals the interior Of a jewelers.
shop in Renford, my native town. 1t is a
fine, large business apartment, with its
walls lined with cases displaying through
their polished glass costly articles of virtu
for Mr.. Huntley maguiies his trade and
is a collector-and its counters spread
with more cases, holding in dainty
nests gold and silver and precious
stones fashioned in many forms of use
and ornament. Mr.. Huntley's shepman is
busy in the front rearranging portion of
the stock; his employer and 1 are discuss
ing in the Office, semi-partitioned of at the
rear, a question Of local politics having
no sort of connection with the present
narrative. Ny father is vicar Of Repford /;
and Mr.. Huntley, as long as / can recollect,
has been wears churchwarden-hence the
intimacy between US; and although have
commenced the study of medicine, and look
speedily to sever the tie Of residence in the
quiet western town, am still interested in
local affairs. Suddenly, the shop doors
there are wisely two-open one after the
other-the inner one with a sharp little
jerk that betokens nervousness or haste on
the part Of the prospective customer. The
eustere young man who is polishing an
enamel brooch deftly replaces it, slides
back the case bottom with a subdued click,
and waits IN an attitude OF deferential az
tention. Standing at right angles to Mr.
HuntleY's desk, am facing the shop and
the street, and however incurious, am
compelled to see and hear what passes.
II is young girl-she may be fifteen, she
may be older-who has entered, and there
is something about her that / find curiouslv
attractive. She is stranger to me, and
therefore, perhaps, / observe more par
ticularly the slim shapely figure, fawn-like
In its timid yet graceful movements: the
pretty piQuant profile; the clear complex
ion, with the pink spot, telling o: excite
ment, in the center of the beautiful nodded
cheek; the wayward, golden curls, that
DEFY the restraint of the simple sun-hat
and the dress of soft creamy white. which
so admirably suits both its owner and the
pleasant summer weather. Erect. ener-
getic, with an evident sense of humiliation
playing the foil to touch of unconscious
hauteur-the vision comes back as write.
You wish to see the principal, miss
Did understand correctlyF"
The girl gives quick gesture of assent; /;
the assistant calls his master, and am left
with only the occupation OF the onlooker.
From a small tn: eadbare reticule see
produced bracelet, ring, and one or two
other articles, whick seem to have formed
part Of fashionable lady's outfit of Jew
elry. The color has deepened on the
maideu's face, and 1 am fancying that she
Is at once proud OF her possessions and
anxious as to the result of her present
enterprise. She has reason for her anxiety,
OF which it is charitable to believe she sus-
poets nothing. 1 will be bold to say that
one can not watch the changing lights and
shadows of her countenance and think her
rle originator or willful accomplice of
fraud.
''These-whatc can you give me for these %
che asks. in a low, quivering voice. TYou
do buy gems, l believe; these arc very
valuable, am told.r She does not appear
10 have the smallest appreciation of the
fact that a respectable tradesman will
hardly make a random offer for Jewels that
can be thus described, without INQUIRY not
only as TO the bona JSdes OF the applicant, but
as TO the authority also for the sale.
But this stage is never reached. Mr..
Huutley has taken up one by one the CLEAN.
ing wares, and one by one laid them aside
after an inspection which has its result in
making him phenomenally grave and chas-
ing storm-line across his forehead.
slave you any idea of The worth of these
articles, or of either-any one of theml'' he
dryly asks.
think both the assistant and myself in
stinctiveiy prick up our ears. The girl,
too, is- startled by his tone. ''I have been
assured-papa said it-that the stones in
the bracelet alone cost two hundred and
fifty pounds.~ps
The glance with which she meets Mr..
Huatley's keen lock is as open as the day,
and the expression on the jewelers. face
turns to one OF pity. II could not give you
rs many shiIlings, miss. The stones are
clever limitations, and that is all There is
not one genuine amongst those you have
shown me. Mr.. Skirrow, let me have your
opinion.n
The assistant confirms the unfiattering
Judgment and does it with q sneer that
felt disposed, though with no valid reason
20 resent
The crimson tide has ebbed, and the y'rl's
checks are blauched; her lips Quive~, bnd
nt first no sound comes from them, her
eyes slowly fill with tears. Ifear that she
may drop in a swoon, but this wnd;an's
weakness she does not seem to snare.
There are seconds Of intolerable suspense